Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine having an illuminated object made up of a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area, the illuminated object being disposed on a front surface of the gaming machine, the gaming machine includes: a first light source for emitting light caused to enter the specific area from a rear-surface side of the illuminated object; a second light source for emitting light, the second light source being different from the first light source, and a light guide body for causing the light emitted by the second light source to enter the non-specific area through the rear-surface side of the illuminated object, the light guide body being disposed in a position spaced apart from the illuminated object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims a priority from the priorJapanese

Patent Application No. 2009-211271 filed on Sep. 14, 2009, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a gaming machine for illuminating afront-surface panel with the use of a light source such as an LED.

2. Background Art

Conventionally, there has existed a display device employing a lightguide panel, the whole of which is formed to have a surface in convexcurved shape in a light-exiting direction. This light guide panel isprovided to the display device so as to be spaced at a longer distancefrom a liquid crystal display panel in a position closer to the sidesurfaces of the light guide panel (refer to Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. Hei 9-219109). In this manner, theconventional display device has been intended to achieve high-qualitydisplay by uniforming brightness across the entire area of a displaysurface and eliminating the unevenness in contrast.

In this conventional display device, a light source is provided at anend portion of the light guide panel so that the light guide panel canguide light emitted by the light source to exit through the light guidepanel and to enter the liquid crystal display panel. Such aconfiguration causes a problem that the liquid crystal display panel,generally, can be illuminated brightly in a position near the lightsource but not in a position distant from the light source. Theconventional display device described above has been proposed to solvesuch a problem. Specifically, the light guide panel is formed in aconvex curved shape and positioned with respect to the liquid crystaldisplay panel so as to be spaced from the liquid crystal display panelin a position near the light source and approached to the liquid crystaldisplay panel in a position distant from the light source. In thismanner, the conventional display device uniforms brightness across theentire area of the display surface without thickening the display devicein a depth direction.

As described above, the conventional display device achieves the uniformbrightness across the entire area of the display surface withoutthickening of the display device in its depth direction. However, theconventional device requires the light guide panel, the whole of whichis formed in a convex curved shape, to be prepared and disposed in apredetermined position so as to gradually enlarge a distance from theliquid crystal display panel. Therefore, the light guide panel needs tobe processed or deformed into a convex curved shape, which inevitablyincreases production cost, as compared to a flat-shaped device.Furthermore, compared to the flat-shaped light guide panel, the lightguide panel having such a convex curved shape requires more difficultwork for installation to a rear surface of the liquid crystal displaypanel or sometimes requires an additional component for facilitating theinstallation, inevitably resulting in cost increase, complicated work,and so on.

Depending on type of an illuminated object which is to be illuminatedwith light emitted by the light source, for example, alight-transmission panel such as a pattern-printed panel, it may bedesired to illuminate a specific area brightly to bring it intoprominence and the other area uniformly and less brightly than thespecific area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above-describedcircumference and aims to provide a gaming machine which is capable ofilluminating an illuminated object with substantially uniform brightnessand facilitating installation work at low cost.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a gamingmachine has an illuminated object made up of a specific area and anon-specific area different from the specific area, the illuminatedobject being disposed on a front surface of the gaming machine. Thegaming machine includes: a first light source for emitting light causedto enter the specific area from a rear-surface side of the illuminatedobject; a second light source for emitting light, the second lightsource being different from the first light source, and a light guidebody for causing the light emitted by the second light source to enterthe non-specific area through the rear-surface side of the illuminatedobject, the light guide body being disposed in a position spaced apartfrom the illuminated object.

According to this embodiment, the non-specific area can be illuminatedby the second light source with substantially uniform brightness whilethe specific area can be illuminated by the first light source morebrightly than the non-specific area.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the light guide body isdisposed at a predetermined distance from the illuminated object.

According to this embodiment, the non-specific area can be illuminatedwith substantially uniform brightness without complicating the lightguide body in shape or disposition.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the predetermineddistance is set to be larger than 40 millimeters.

According to this embodiment, the non-specific area can be preciselyilluminated with substantially uniform brightness.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the first lightsource is disposed based on a pattern drawn on the specific area of theilluminated object.

According to this embodiment, the specific area can be illuminated in adesired light-emission mode depending on shape or size of a patterndrawn on the specific area.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, thegaming machine includes a display device for displaying predeterminedinformation; a first controller for controlling progress of a game; anda second controller for controlling light emission of the first lightsource. The first controller and the second controller are programmed toexecute the following processing (A1) to (A3). The first controllerexecutes processing (A1) of transmitting, to the second controller, aninstruction signal of instructing a light-emission mode of the firstlight source in accordance with the progress of the game. The secondcontroller executes processing (A2) of transmitting a confirmationsignal to the first controller upon receipt of the instruction signal.The first controller executes processing (A3) of displaying an errormessage on the display device, in a case where the first controller hasnot received the confirmation signal before a predetermined timeelapses.

According to this embodiment, even with a configuration in which thefirst and second controllers are separately configured and connected toeach other via connection line such as a cable, a judgment can be madeas to whether or not a connection condition between the first and secondcontrollers is appropriate.

The present invention provides a gaming machine which is capable ofilluminating an illuminated object with substantially uniform brightnessand facilitating installation work at low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a gaming machineaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a function flow of the gaming machineaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a game system including the gaming machineaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an overall configuration of the gamingmachine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of thegaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a main control processing for thegaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating coin-insertion/start-check processingfor the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating jackpot-related processing for thegaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating symbol lottery processing for thegaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating symbol display control processingfor the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating number-of-payoutsdetermination processing for the gaming machine according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a first mode of a pattern displayedon an upper image display panel 131.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating disposition of LEDs and lightguide panels corresponding to the first mode of the pattern.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the light guide panels and abacklight panel corresponding to the first mode of the pattern.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the lightguide panels.

FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating a second mode of the patterndisplayed on the upper image display panel 131.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating disposition of the LEDs andthe light guide panels corresponding to the second mode of the pattern.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the light guide panels andthe backlight panel corresponding to the second mode of the pattern.

FIG. 19 is a front view illustrating a third mode of the patterndisplayed on the upper image display panel 131.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating disposition of the LEDs andthe light guide panels corresponding to the third mode of the pattern.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the light guide panelss andthe backlight panel corresponding to the third mode of the pattern.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a sub-control circuit400 and various types of LEDs for emitting light under control of thesub-control circuit 400.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine oflight-emission-pattern-number-determination processing to be executed bya main CPU 71.

FIG. 24 is a table as an example of alight-emission-pattern-number-determination table.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine oflight-emission-pattern-number-reception processing to be executed by asub-CPU 422.

FIG. 26 is a table as an example of a light-emission-pattern table.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine ofconfirmation-signal-reception processing to be executed by the main CPU71.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

<<Outline of Gaming Machine>>

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a gaming machineaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present inventionhas an illuminated object made up of a specific area and a non-specificarea different from the specific area, the illuminated object beingdisposed on a front surface of the gaming machine. The gaming machineincludes: a first light source for emitting light caused to enter thespecific area from a rear-surface side of the illuminated object; asecond light source for emitting light, the second light source beingdifferent from the first light source, and a light guide body forcausing the light emitted by the second light source to enter thenon-specific area through the rear-surface side of the illuminatedobject, the light guide body being disposed in a position spaced apartfrom the illuminated object.

The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present inventionincludes the illuminated object. This illuminated object is disposed ona front surface of the gaming machine. Typically, the front surface ofthe gaming machine may be the one disposed on a side on which a playeris positioned to play a game on the gaming machine. The illuminatedobject is made up of the specific area and the non-specific area.Typically, the non-specific area may be any area other than the specificarea. The illuminated object may have at least one specific area. Thesespecific and non-specific areas may be unchanged or changed in size orposition over time.

The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present inventionincludes the first light source, the second light source, and the lightguide body. It is preferable that the first light source and the secondlight source emit light having a wavelength in a visible light range.The light emitted by the first light source enters the specific areafrom the rear-surface side of the illuminated object. The first lightsource is preferably disposed on the rear-surface side of theilluminated object but not limited to this position.

The light guide body is disposed in a position spaced apart from theilluminated object. Light emitted by the second light source is causedto enter the light guide body. The light having entered is repeatedlyreflected inside the light guide body and then exits therefrom through apredetermined surface (hereinafter, referred to as light-exitingsurface) of the light guide body. The light having exited from the lightguide body enters the non-specific area from the rear-surface side ofthe illuminated object. Repeated reflection inside the light guide bodyenables the light to exit through the light-exiting surface whileexhibiting substantially uniform brightness, so that the non-specificarea can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness. Further,because the light guide body is spaced apart from the illuminatedobject, the light exiting from the light guide body may be reflectedmore than once between the light guide body and the illuminated object.The light having exited from the light guide body exhibits brightnesswhich is rendered substantially uniform through repeated reflectionbetween the light guide body and the illuminated object, thereby beingable to illuminate the non-specific area with substantially uniformbrightness. Yet further, even in a case where another component adaptedfor the purpose of producing effects is disposed between the light guidebody and the illuminated object, such a component hardly casts a shadebecause the light exiting from the light guide body is reflected morethan once between the light guide body and the illuminated object,thereby being able to reach the non-specific area.

It is preferable that the light guide body and the illuminated object bedisposed so that a predetermined surface of the light guide body isfaced to the rear surface of the illuminated object. In this manner, thelight exiting through the predetermined surface can precisely enter therear surface of the illuminated object.

It is preferable that the light guide body be disposed so that the firstlight source is placed between the light guide body and the illuminatedobject. In this manner, the light emitted by the first light source canenter the specific area of the illuminated object without being shieldedby the light guide body.

It is more preferable that the first light source be disposed at apredetermined distance from the illuminated object. In this manner, thelight emitted by the second light source can be propagated between theilluminated object and the first light source and caused to enter thenon-specific area of the illuminated object without interference by thefirst light source. In this manner, because the light emitted by thesecond source can be propagated between the illuminated object and thefirst light source, even in a case where not only the first light sourcebut also another component such as a circuit board, a connector, or acable is disposed between the illuminated object and the light guidebody, the light emitted by the second light source can be caused toenter the non-specific area of the illuminated object without beingaffected by the aforementioned component, thereby achieving preciseillumination on the non-specific area. Further, even in a case where thefirst light source is turned off, the light emitted by the second lightsource can still be caused to enter the specific area of the illuminatedobject, so that the specific area can be prevented from becoming lessbright due to the shade of the first light source, as compared to thenon-specific area.

It is preferable that the light-exiting surface of the light guide bodybe larger in area or width than the first light source. This allows thelight exiting through the light-exiting surface of the light guide bodyto enter the non-specific area of the illuminated object withoutinterference by the first light source.

With such a configuration, the non-specific area can be illuminated bythe second light source with substantially uniform brightness while thespecific area can be illuminated by the first light source more brightlythan the non-specific area.

It is preferable that the light guide body be disposed at a certaindistance from the illuminated object. It is more preferable that such adistance be set to be larger than 40 millimeters. With such aconfiguration, the non-specific area can be illuminated withsubstantially uniform brightness without complicating a shape of thelight guide body or making the disposition of the light guide bodydifficult. Further, not only the first light source but also othercomponent such as a circuit board, a connector, or a cable can bedisposed in a space between the light guide body and the illuminatedobject. At the same time, the light emitted by the second light sourcecan be caused to enter the non-specific area of the illuminated objectwithout being affected by the aforementioned component, thereby beingable to precisely illuminate the non-specific area with substantiallyuniform brightness.

It is preferable that the first light source be disposed based on apattern drawn on the specific area of the illuminated object. In thismanner, the specific area can be illuminated in a desired light-emissionmode in accordance with the shape or the size of the pattern drawn asthe specific area, thereby giving light effects to such a pattern. Thelight effects can be independently given to each of the specific andnon-specific areas without the light emitted by the first light sourceaffecting illumination on the non-specific area or the light emitted bythe second light source affecting illumination on the special area.

The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present inventionfurther includes a display device for displaying predeterminedinformation; a first controller for controlling progress of a game; anda second controller for controlling light emission of the first lightsource. The first controller and the second controller are programmed toexecute the following processing (A1) to (A3). The first controllerexecutes processing (A1) of transmitting, to the second controller, aninstruction signal of instructing a light-emission mode of the firstlight source in accordance with the progress of the game. The secondcontroller executes processing (A2) of transmitting a confirmationsignal to the first controller upon receipt of the instruction signal.The first controller executes processing (A3) of displaying an errormessage on the display device, in a case where the first controller hasnot received the confirmation signal before a predetermined timeelapses.

The gaming machine includes the display device, the first controller,and the second controller. The display device displays predeterminedinformation. It is especially preferable that the display device displayan image concerning a game to progress the game. The first controllerexecutes a program for performing the game. The second controllercontrols light emission of the first light source. The first controllerand the second controller are programmed to execute the followingprocessing (A1) to (A3).

Processing (A1), which is to be executed by the first controller, isprocessing of transmitting, to the second controller, an instructionsignal of instructing a light-emission mode of the first light source inaccordance with the progress of the game. Processing (A2), which is tobe executed by the second controller, is processing of transmitting aconfirmation signal to the first controller upon receipt of theinstruction signal therefrom. Processing (A3), which is to be executedby the first controller, is processing of displaying an error message onthe display device in a case where the first controller has not receivedthe confirmation signal before a predetermined time elapses.

In this manner, the first controller and the second controller areconfigured as separate bodies. At the same time, even in a case wherethese first controller and the second controller are configured to beconnected to a connection line such as a cable in a detachablyattachable manner, these controllers can accurately detect disconnectionof the connection line such as a cable, thereby being able to determinewhether or not a connection condition between the first controller andthe second controller is appropriate. Further, because the firstcontroller and the second controller are configured as separate bodies,the gaming machine is still usable without connecting the connectionline such as a cable to the second controller in a case where theilluminated object is not necessary or not available for use. Asdescribed above, the present invention provides a gaming machine whichis capable of increasing the degree of freedom for installationdepending on the environment in which the gaming machine is to beinstalled. Further, because the processing can be dispersed between thefirst controller and the second controller, the processing burden can bereduced. Yet further, because the first controller and the secondcontroller can be separately developed, the development work is alsoshared, to thereby promote the development efficiency.

[Explanation of Function Flow Diagram]

With reference to FIG. 2, basic functions of the gaming machineaccording to the present embodiment are described.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a function flow of the gaming machineaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

<Coin-Insertion/Start-Check>

First, the gaming machine checks whether or not a BET button has beenpressed by the player, and subsequently checks whether or not a spinbutton has been pressed by the player.

<Symbol Determination>

Next, when the spin button has been pressed by the player, the gamingmachine extracts random values for symbol determination, and determinessymbols to be displayed at the time of stopping scrolling of symbolarrays for the player, for a plurality of respective video reelsdisplayed to a display.

<Symbol Display>

Next, the gaming machine starts scrolling of the symbol array of each ofthe video reels and then stops scrolling so that the determined symbolsare displayed for the player.

<Winning Determination>

When scrolling of the symbol array of each video reel has been stopped,the gaming machine determines whether or not a combination of symbolsdisplayed for the player is a combination related to winning.

<Payout>

When the combination of symbols displayed for the player is acombination related to winning, the gaming machine offers benefitsaccording to the combination to the player.

For example, when a combination of symbols related to a payout of coinshas been displayed, the gaming machine pays out coins of the numbercorresponding to the combination of symbols to the player.

Further, when a combination of symbols (trigger symbols) related to afree game trigger has been displayed, the gaming machine starts the freegame. This embodiment adopts a three-choice bonus game as a bonus game,in which a bonus game trigger is established when three bonus symbolsare stopped and a player is allowed to select one of the threestop-displayed symbols, so that a payment is paid out and various typesof games are executed according to a result of the selection made by theplayer.

When a combination of symbols related to a jackpot trigger is displayed,the gaming machine pays out coins in an amount of jackpot to the player.The jackpot refers to a function which accumulates parts of coins usedby players at the respective gaming machines as the amount of jackpotand which, when the jackpot trigger has been established in any of thegaming machines, pays out coins of the accumulated amount of jackpot tothat gaming machine.

In each game, the gaming machine calculates the amount (amount foraccumulation) to be accumulated to the amount of jackpot and transmitsto an external control device. The external control device accumulatesto the amount of jackpot the amounts for accumulation transmitted fromthe respective gaming machines.

Further, in addition to the aforementioned benefits, the gaming machineis provided with benefits such as a mystery bonus or the like.

The mystery bonus is a bonus in which a predetermined amount of coinsare paid out for winning of a lottery that is intended for the mysterybonus. When the spin button has been pressed, the gaming machineextracts a random value for mystery bonus and determines whether or notto establish a mystery bonus by lottery.

<Determination of Effects>

The gaming machine produces effects by displaying images to the display,outputting the light from lamps, and outputting sounds from speakers.The gaming machine extracts a random value for effect and determinescontents of the effects based on the symbols and the like determined bylottery.

[Overall Game System]

The basic functions of the gaming machine have been described above.Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a game system including the gamingmachine is described.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the game system including the gamingmachine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A game system 300 includes the plurality of gaming machines 1, and anexternal control device 200 that is connected to each of the gamingmachines 1 through a communication line 301.

The external control device 200 is for controlling the plurality ofgaming machines 1. In the present embodiment, the external controldevice 200 is a so-called hall server which is installed in a gamefacility having the plurality of gaming machines 1. Each of the gamingmachines 1 is provided with a unique identification number, and theexternal control device 200 identifies transmission sources of datatransmitted from the respective gaming machines 1 by using theidentification numbers. Also in the case where the external controldevice 200 transmits data to a gaming machine 1, the identificationnumbers are used for specifying the transmission destination.

Further, the external control device 200 accumulates the amount ofjackpot based on the number of gaming media having been betted througheach of the gaming machines 1.

It is to be noted that the game system 300 may be constructed within asingle game facility where various games can be conducted, such as acasino, or may be constructed among a plurality of game facilities.Further, when the game system 300 is constructed in a single gamefacility, the game system 300 may be constructed in each floor orsection of the game facility. The communication line 301 may be a wiredor wireless line, and can adopt a dedicated line, an exchange line orthe like.

This embodiment describes a case in which the plurality of gamingmachines 1 are connected through the communication line 301 so as to beable to communicate with each other. However, the gaming machineaccording to the present invention may be a stand-alone type which isnot network-connected.

[Overall Configuration of Gaming Machine]

The game system according to the present embodiment has been describedabove. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an overall configuration of thegaming machine 1 is described.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the overall configuration of the gamingmachine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A coin, a bill, or electrically valuable information corresponding tothese is used as a game medium in the gaming machine 1. Further, in thepresent embodiment, a later-described ticket with a barcode is alsoused. It is to be noted that the game medium is not limited to these,and for example a medal, a token, electric money or the like can beadopted.

The gaming machine 1 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed onthe upper side of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided at thefront face of the cabinet 11.

A lower image display panel 141 is provided at the center of the maindoor 13. The lower image display panel 141 includes a liquid crystalpanel, and forms the display. The lower image display panel 141 has asymbol display region 4. To the symbol display region 4, five videoreels 3 (3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, 3 e) are displayed. The symbol displayregion 4 is further provided with fifteen display blocks 28, in whichthe display blocks 28 are assigned three by three to positionscorresponding to the video reels 3, respectively.

In the present embodiment, a video reel depicts through videos therotational and stop motions of a mechanical reel having a plurality ofsymbols drawn on the peripheral surface thereof. To each of the videoreels 3, a symbol array comprised of a previously determined pluralityof symbols is assigned.

In the symbol display region 4, the symbol arrays assigned to therespective video reels 3 are separately scrolled, and are stopped afterpredetermined time has elapsed. As a result, a part (four consecutivesymbols in the present embodiment) of each of the symbol arrays isdisplayed for the player.

The symbol display region 4 has three regions, namely, an upper region,a central region, and a lower region, for each of the video reels 3, anda single symbol is to be displayed to each of the regions. That is, 15(=5 columns×3 symbols) symbols are to be displayed in the symbol displayregion 4.

In the present embodiment, a line formed by selecting one of theaforementioned three regions for each of the video reels 3 andconnecting the respective regions is referred to as a winning line(hereinafter also referred to as a “pay line”).

It is to be noted that any desired shape of the winning line can beadopted, and examples of the shape of the winning line may include astraight line formed by connecting the central regions for therespective video reels 3, a V-shaped line, and a bent line. Also,whereas the number of lines is 30 lines in this embodiment, any desirednumber of lines can be adopted.

As described with reference to FIG. 1, the lower image display panel 141displays a number-of-credits display portion 201, a number-of-BETsdisplay portion 202, a number-of-payouts display portion 203, a HELPdisplay button 204, a payout-table display button 205, a denominationdisplay portion 206, a payline-generation portion 65, and the like.

A payline-generation portion 65L and a payline-generation portion 65Rmake a pair to generate a payline.

The lower image display panel 141 has a built-in touch panel 114. Theplayer can input various commands by touching the lower image displaypanel 141.

A ticket printer 171, a card slot 176, a data display 174, and a keypad173 are provided on the lower side of the lower image display panel 141.

The ticket printer 171 prints on a ticket a barcode representing encodeddata of the number of credits, date, the identification number of thegaming machine 1, and the like, and outputs the ticket as the ticket 175with a barcode. The player can make a gaming machine read the ticket 175with a barcode so as to play a game thereon, and can also exchange theticket 175 with a barcode with a bill or the like at a predeterminedplace (e.g. a cashier in a casino) in the game facility.

The card slot 176 is for inserting a card in which predetermined data isstored. For example, the card stores data for identifying the player,and data about the history of games played by the player.

When the card is inserted into the card slot 176, a later-described cardreader 172 reads data from the card or writes data into the card. It isto be noted that the card may store data corresponding to a coin, a billor a credit.

The data display 174 includes a fluorescent display, LEDs and the like,and displays the data read by the card reader 172 or the data inputtedby the player via the keypad 173, for example. The keypad 173 is forinputting a command and data related to ticket issuance or the like.

On the lower side of the ticket printer 171 or the like, there arearranged various buttons set in a control panel 30, and various devicesto be operated by the player.

A spin button 31 is used when starting scrolling of the symbol arrays ofthe respective video reels 3. A change button 32 is used when requestinga game facility staff member to exchange money. A CASHOUT button 33 isused when paying out the coins retained inside the gaming machine 1 to acoin tray 15.

A 1-BET button 34 and a maximum BET button 35 are used for determiningthe number of coins (hereinafter also referred to as “the number ofBETs”) to be used in the game from the coins retained inside the gamingmachine 1. The 1-BET button 34 is used when determining one coin at atime for the aforementioned number of BETs. The maximum BET button 35 isused when setting the aforementioned number of BETs to a defined upperlimit number.

A coin accepting slot 36 is provided to accept coins. A bill validator115 is provided to accept bills. The bill validator 115 validates abill, and accepts a valid bill into the cabinet 11. It is to be notedthat the bill validator 115 may be configured so as to be capable ofreading a later-described ticket 175 with a barcode.

An upper image display panel 131 is provided at the front face of thetop box 12. The upper image display panel 131 includes a liquid crystalpanel, and forms the display. The upper image display panel 131 displaysimages or the like related to effects.

A jackpot display portion 210 for displaying the current amount ofjackpot is provided on the upper side of the upper image display panel131.

The upper image display panel 131 is provided with a clock-like rouletteportion 220 which imitates a clock. The clock-like roulette portion 220is provided with twelve hand portions 221 a to 221 l and twelve numeralportions 222 a to 222 l.

As described later, these twelve hand portions 221 a to 221 l and twelvenumeral portions 222 a to 2221 can be brightly displayed by causinglight emission of LED light emitting portion 231 a to 231 l and twelveLED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 l (see FIG. 13) provided on arear-surface side of the clock-like roulette portion 220.

On the right and left of a lower portion of the clock-like rouletteportion 220, character images 223 a, 223 b indicative of game charactersare displayed, respectively. On the right and left of an upper portionof the clock-like roulette portion 220, background areas 224 a, 224 bare displayed, respectively.

As described later, this mode of the upper image display panel 131corresponds to the first mode of the top box 12.

Further, the top box 12 is provided with a decoration member 211, aspeaker 112, and a lamp 111. The gaming machine 1 produces effects bydisplaying images, outputting sounds, and outputting the light.

The overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 has been describedabove. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a configuration of a circuitincluded in the gaming machine 1 is described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of thegaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A gaming board 50 is provided with: a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a boot ROM53, which are mutually connected by an internal bus; a card slot 55corresponding to a memory card 54; and an IC socket 57 corresponding toa GAL (Generic Array Logic) 56.

The memory card 54 includes a non-volatile memory, and stores a gameprogram and a game system program. The game program includes a programrelated to game progression, a lottery program, and a program forproducing effects by images and sounds (e.g. see FIGS. 6 to 11, 23, 25,and 27 which are described later). Further, the aforementioned gameprogram includes data (see FIG. 5) specifying the configuration of thesymbol array assigned to each video reel 3.

The lottery program is a program for determining to-be stopped symbol ofeach video reel 3 by lottery. The to-be stopped symbol is data fordetermining three symbols to be displayed to the symbol display region 4out of the plurality of symbols forming each symbol array. The gamingmachine 1 of the present embodiment determines as the to-be stoppedsymbol the symbol to be displayed in a predetermined region (the upperregion) out of the three regions provided for each of the video reels 3of the symbol display region 4.

The aforementioned lottery program includes symbol determination data.The symbol determination data is data that specifies random values sothat each of the plurality of symbols forming the symbol array isdetermined at an equal probability, for each video reel 3.

The probabilities of the respective plural symbols being determined arebasically equal. However, the numbers of the respective types of symbolsincluded in the plurality of symbols vary, and thus the probabilities ofthe respective types of symbols being determined vary (i.e. differentweights on the probabilities are generated).

It is to be noted that, although the data specifies that the equalnumbers of symbols be provided to form the symbol arrays of therespective video reels 3 in the present embodiment, different numbers ofsymbols may form the respective video reels 3. For example, the symbolarray of the first video reel 3 a may consist of 22 symbols whereas thesymbol array of the second video reel 3 b may consist of 30 symbols.Such a configuration increases the degree of freedom in setting theprobabilities of the respective types of symbols being determined foreach video reel 3.

Further, the card slot 55 is configured so that the memory card 54 canbe inserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to amotherboard 70 by an IDE bus.

The GAL 56 is a type of PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having a fixedOR array structure. The GAL 56 is provided with a plurality of inputports and output ports, and predetermined input into the input portcauses output of the corresponding data from the output port.

Further, the IC socket 57 is configured so that the GAL 56 can beinserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to themotherboard 70 by a PCI bus. The contents of the game to be played onthe gaming machine 1 can be changed by replacing the memory card 54 withanother memory card 54 having another program written therein or byrewriting the program written into the memory card 54 as anotherprogram.

The CPU 51, the ROM 52 and the boot ROM 53 mutually connected by theinternal bus are connected to the motherboard 70 by a PCI bus. The PCIbus enables a signal transmission between the motherboard 70 and thegaming board 50, and power supply from the motherboard 70 to the gamingboard 50.

The ROM 52 stores an authentication program. The boot ROM 53 stores apre-authentication program, a program (boot code) to be used by the CPU51 for activating the pre-authentication program, and the like. Theauthentication program is a program (tamper check program) forauthenticating the game program and the game system program. Thepre-authentication program is a program for authenticating theaforementioned authentication program. The authentication program andthe pre-authentication program are written along a procedure(authentication procedure) for proving that the program to be thesubject has not been tampered.

The motherboard 70 is provided with a main CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73,and a communication interface 82. The motherboard 70 corresponds to thecontroller of the present invention. In this embodiment, the controlleris made up of a single CPU referred to as a main CPU 71. However, thecontroller of the present invention may be made up of a plurality ofCPUs.

The ROM 72 includes a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores aprogram such as BIOS to be executed by the main CPU 71, and permanentdata. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 71, processing forinitializing predetermined peripheral devices is conducted; further,through the gaming board 50, processing of loading the game program andthe game system program store_(d) in the memory card 54 is started.

The RAM 73 stores data and programs which are used in operation of themain CPU 71. For example, when the processing of loading theaforementioned game program, game system program or authenticationprogram is conducted, the RAM 73 can store the program. The RAM 73 isprovided with working areas used for operations in execution of theseprograms. Examples of the areas include: an area that stores a counterfor managing the number of games, the number of BETs, the number ofpayouts, the number of credits and the like; and an area that storessymbols (code numbers) determined by lottery.

The communication interface 82 is for communicating with the externalcontrol device 200 such as a server, through the communication line 301.Further, the motherboard 70 is connected with a later-described door PCB(Printed Circuit Board) 90 and a body PCB 110 by respective USBs. Themotherboard 70 is also connected with a power supply unit 81.

When the power is supplied from the power supply unit 81 to themotherboard 70, the main CPU 71 of the motherboard 70 is activated, andthen the power is supplied to the gaming board 50 through the PCI bus soas to activate the CPU 51.

The door PCB 90 and the body PCB 110 are connected with input devicessuch as a switch and a sensor, and peripheral devices the operations ofwhich are controlled by the main CPU 71.

The door PCB 70 is connected with a control panel 30, a reverter 91, acoin counter 92C and a cold cathode tube 93.

The control panel 30 is provided with a spin switch 31S, a change switch32S, a CASHOUT switch 33S, a 1-BET switch 34S and a maximum BET switch35S which correspond to the aforementioned respective buttons. Each ofthe switches outputs a signal to the main CPU 71 upon detection of pressof the button corresponding thereto by the player.

The coin counter 92C validates a coin inserted into the coin acceptingslot 36 based on its material, shape and the like, and outputs a signalto the main CPU 71 upon detection of a valid coin. Invalid coins aredischarged from a coin payout exit 15A.

The reverter 91 operates based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 71, and distributes valid coins validated by the coin counter92C into a hopper 113 or a cash box (not illustrated). That is, coinsare distributed into the hopper 113 when the hopper 113 is not filledwith coins, while coins arc distributed into the cash box when thehopper 113 is filled with coins.

The cold cathode tube 93 functions as a backlight installed on the rearface sides of the upper image display panel 131 and the lower imagedisplay panel 141, and lights up based on a control signal outputtedfrom the main CPU 71.

The body PCB 110 is connected with the lamp 111, the speaker 112, thehopper 113, a coin detecting portion 113S, the touch panel 114, the billvalidator 115, a graphic board 130, the ticket printer 171, the cardreader 172, a key switch 173S and the data display 174.

The lamp 111 lights up based on a control signal outputted from the mainCPU 71. The speaker 112 outputs sounds such as BGM, based on a controlsignal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The hopper 113 operates based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 71, and pays out coins of the specified number of payouts fromthe coin payout exit 15A to the coin tray 15. The coin detecting portion113S outputs a signal to the main CPU 71 upon detection of coins paidout by the hopper 113.

The touch panel 114 detects a place on the lower image display paneltouched by the player's finger or the like, and outputs to the main CPU71 a signal corresponding to the detected place. Upon acceptance of avalid bill, the bill validator 115 outputs to the main CPU 71 a signalcorresponding to the face amount of the bill.

The graphic board 130 controls display of images conducted by therespective upper image display panel 131 and lower image display panel141, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71. Thesymbol display region 4 of the lower image display panel 141 displaysthe five video reels 3 by which the scrolling and stop motions of thesymbol arrays included in the respective video reels 3 are displayed.

The graphic board 130 is provided with a VDP generating image data, avideo RAM temporarily storing the image data generated by the VDP, andthe like. The number-of-credits display portion 201 of the lower imagedisplay panel 141 displays the number of credits stored in the RAM 73.The number-of-payouts display portion 203 of the lower image displaypanel 141 displays the number of paid-out coins.

The graphic board 130 is provided with the VDP (Video Display Processor)generating image data based on a control signal outputted from the mainCPU 71, the video RAM temporarily storing the image data generated bythe VDP, and the like. It is to be noted that the image data used ingeneration of image data by the VDP is included in the game program thathas been read from the memory card 54 and stored into the RAM 73.

Based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71, the ticketprinter 171 prints on a ticket a barcode representing encoded data ofthe number of credits stored in the RAM 73, date, the identificationnumber of the gaming machine 1, and the like, and then outputs theticket as the ticket 175 with a barcode.

The card reader 172 reads data stored in a card inserted into the cardslot 176 and transmits the data to the main CPU 71, or writes data intothe card based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The key switch 173S is provided in the keypad 173, and outputs apredetermined signal to the main CPU 71 when the keypad 173 has beenoperated by the player.

The data display 174 displays data read by the card reader 172 and datainputted by the player through the keypad 173, based on a control signaloutputted from the main CPU 71.

The body PCB 110 is electrically connected to an interface circuit 180.The interface circuit 180 is a circuit to establish communicationbetween the body PCB 110 and a sub-control circuit 400 to be describedlater and to achieve bidirectional communication. For example,specifications such as RS-232C or USB may be employed.

The interface circuit 180 is electrically connected to a connector of apredetermined specification (not shown). The connecter can be connectedin a detachably attachable manner to a cable 185 for makingcommunication. For example, the RC-232C cable or USB cable may beconnected to the connector in a detachably attachable manner. Thesub-control circuit 400 to be described later is connected to the bodyPCB 110 via this cable 185. This achieves a bidirectional communicationbetween the main CPU 71 and the sub-control circuit 400.

[Contents of program]

The circuit configuration of the gaming machine 1 has been describedabove. Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, the program to be executedby the gaming machine 1 is described.

<Main Control Processing>

First, with reference to FIG. 6, main control processing is described.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the main control processingfor the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

First, when the power is supplied to the gaming machine 1, the main CPU71 reads the authenticated game program and game system program from thememory card 54 through the gaming board 50, and writes the programs intothe RAM 73 (step S11).

Next, the main CPU 71 conducts at-one-game-end initialization processing(step S12). For example, data that becomes unnecessary after each gamein the working areas of the RAM 73, such as the number of BETs and thesymbols determined by lottery, is cleared.

The main CPU 71 conducts coin-insertion/start-check processing which isdescribed later with reference to FIG. 7 (step S13). In the processing,input from the BET switch and the spin switch is checked.

The main CPU 71 then conducts symbol lottery processing which isdescribed later with reference to FIG. 9 (step S14). In the processing,to-be stopped symbols are determined based on the random values forsymbol determination.

Next, the main CPU 71 conducts mystery bonus lottery processing (stepS15). In the processing, lottery determining whether or not to establisha mystery bonus trigger is held. For example, the main CPU 71 extracts arandom value for mystery bonus from the numbers in a range of “0 to 99”,and establishes the mystery bonus trigger when the extracted randomvalue is “0”.

The main CPU 71 conducts effect contents determination processing (stepS16). The main CPU 31 extracts a random value for effect, and determinesany of the effect contents from the preset plurality of effect contentsby lottery.

The main CPU 71 then conducts symbol display control processing which isdescribed later with reference to FIG. 10 (step S17). In the processing,scrolling of the symbol array of each video reel 3 is started, and theto-be stopped symbol determined in the symbol lottery processing of stepS14 is stopped at a predetermined position (e.g. the upper region in thesymbol display region 4). That is, three symbols including the to-bestopped symbol are displayed in the symbol display region 4. Forexample, when the to-be stopped symbol is the symbol associated with thecode number of “10” and it is to be displayed to the upper region, thesymbols associated with the respective code numbers of “11” and “12” areto be displayed to the central region and lower region in the symboldisplay region 4, respectively.

Next, the main CPU 71 conducts number-of-payouts determinationprocessing which is described later with reference to FIG. 11 (stepS18). In the processing, the number of payouts is determined based onthe combination of symbols displayed along one of the winning lines, andis stored into a number-of-payouts storage area provided in the RAM 73.

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the bonus game triggeris established (step S19). As described above, the bonus game triggeraccording to this embodiment is established when three bonus symbols 250are stopped within the symbol display region 4. When determining thatthe bonus game trigger has been established, the main CPU 71 conductsthe bonus game processing (step S20).

It is to be noted that a feature game to be described later is a gamewhich is executed depending on a result of the bonus game executed inthis step S20.

After the processing of step S20 or when determining in step S19 thatthe bonus game trigger has not been established, the main CPU 71determines whether or not the mystery bonus trigger is established (stepS21). When determining that the mystery bonus trigger has beenestablished, the main CPU 71 conducts mystery bonus processing (stepS22). In this processing, the number of payouts being set for themystery bonus is stored in the number-of-payouts storage area providedin the RAM 73.

After the processing of step S22 or when determining in step S21 thatthe mystery bonus trigger has not been established, the main CPU 71conducts payout processing (step S24). The main CPU 71 adds a valuestored in the number-of-payouts storage area to a value stored in thenumber-of-credits storage area provided in the RAM 73. It is to be notedthat operation of the hopper 113 may be controlled based on input fromthe CASHOUT switch 33S, and coins of the number corresponding to a valuestored in the number-of-payouts storage area may be discharged from thecoin payout exit 15A. Further, operations of the ticket printer 171 maybe controlled and a ticket with a barcode may be issued on which a valuestored in the number-of-payouts storage area is recorded. After theprocessing has been conducted, the processing is shifted to step S12.

The game executed through steps S12 to 18 of the main control processingcorresponds to a normal game according to the present invention.

<Coin-Insertion/Start-Check Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, coin-insertion/start-check processing isdescribed.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a flowchart of thecoin-insertion/start-check processing for the gaming machine accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not insertion of a coin hasbeen detected by the coin counter 92C (step S41). When determining thatthe insertion of a coin has been detected, the main CPU 71 makes anaddition to the number-of-credits storage area (step S42). It is to benoted that, in addition to the insertion of a coin, the main CPU 71 maydetermine whether or not insertion of a bill has been detected by thebill validator 115, and when determining that the insertion of a billhas been detected, the main CPU 71 may add a value according to the billto the number-of-credits storage area.

After step S42 or when determining in step S41 that the insertion of acoin has not been detected, the main CPU 71 determines whether or notthe number-of-credits storage area is zero (step S43). When the main CPU71 determines that the number-of-credits storage area is not zero, themain CPU 71 permits operation acceptance of the BET buttons (step S44).

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not operation of any of theBET buttons has been detected (step S45). When the main CPU 71determines that the BET switch has detected press of the BET button bythe player, the main CPU 71 makes an addition to a number-of-BETsstorage area provided in the RAM 73 and makes a subtraction from thenumber-of-credits storage area, based on the type of the BET button(step S46).

The main CPU 71 then determines whether or not a value stored in thenumber-of-BETs storage area is at its maximum (step S47). When the mainCPU 71 determines that a value stored in the number-of-BETs storage areais at its maximum, the main CPU 71 prohibits updating of a value storedin the number-of-BETs storage area (step S48). After step S48 or whendetermining in step S47 that a value stored in the number-of-BETSstorage area is not at its maximum, the main CPU 71 permits operationacceptance of the spin button (step S49).

After step S49 or when determining in step S45 that the operation of anyof the BET buttons has not been detected, or when determining in stepS43 that a value stored in the number-of-credits storage area is zero,the main CPU 71 determines whether or not operation of the spin buttonhas been detected (step S50). When the main CPU 71 determines that theoperation of the spin button has not been detected, the processing isshifted to step S41.

When the main CPU 71 determines that the operation of the spin buttonhas been detected, the main CPU 71 conducts jackpot-related processingwhich is described later with reference to FIG. 8 (step S51). In theprocessing, the amount to be accumulated to the amount of jackpot iscalculated, and the amount is transmitted to the external control device200. After the processing has been conducted, thecoin-insertion/start-check processing is completed.

<Jackpot-Related Processing>

Now, with reference to FIG. 8, the jackpot-related processing isdescribed.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the jackpot-relatedprocessing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

First, the main CPU 71 calculates the amount for accumulation (stepS71). The main CPU 71 obtains the product of the value of thenumber-of-BETs storage area and a preset accumulation ratio, so that theamount for accumulation to the amount of jackpot is calculated.

Next, the main CPU 71 transmits the calculated amount for accumulationto the external control device 200 (step S72). Upon reception of theamount for accumulation, the external control device 200 updates theamount of jackpot. After the processing has been conducted, thejackpot-related processing is completed.

<Symbol Lottery Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 9 the symbol lottery processing isdescribed.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the symbol lotteryprocessing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

First, the main CPU 71 extracts random values for symbol determination(step S111). The main CPU 71 then determines to-be stopped symbols forthe respective video reels 3 by lottery (step S112).

Each of video reels 3 (a first video reel 3 a, a second video reel 3 b,a third video reel 3 c, a fourth video reel 3 d, and a fifth video reel3 e) included in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is assignedwith a symbol array made up of the plurality of symbols corresponding tocode numbers. The ROM 72 stores a data table indicative of acorrespondence relationship between the video reels 3 and the symbolarrays, respectively.

The main CPU 71 holds a lottery for each video reel 3, and determinesany one of the plurality of symbols as a to-be stopped symbol. At thistime, each of the plural symbols is determined at an equal probability.

The main CPU 71 then stores the determined to-be stopped symbols for therespective video reels 3 into a symbol storage area provided in the RAM73 (step S113). Next, the main CPU 71 references the number-of-payoutsdetermination table (FIG. 8) and determines a winning combination basedon the symbol storage area (step S114).

The symbol combination table specifies a combination of symbolsaccording to a winning prize and the number of payouts. In the gamingmachine 1, when scroll of the symbol array of each video reel 3 isstopped, a winning prize is established in a case where a combination ofsymbols displayed on a payline is coincident with a combination ofsymbols specified in the symbol combination table. In a case where acombination of the symbols displayed on the payline fails to coincidewith any combination of symbols specified in the symbol combinationtable, no winning prize (so called “losing”) is established.

In step S114, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not a combination ofsymbols displayed on the winning line by each of the video reels 3coincides with a combination of symbols specified in the symbolcombination table, thereby determining a winning combination. After theprocessing has been conducted, the symbol lottery processing iscompleted.

In this embodiment, when determining in the symbol lottery processingthat three bonus symbols 250 are to be stop-displayed, the main CPU 71determines which benefits (credit award, a free game, or atwenty-nine-choice game) is to be correlated with each of the bonussymbols 250. The main CPU 71 made this determination based on the datatable indicative of a correspondence relationship between a position inwhich the bonus symbol 250 is stopped and a benefit (credit award, afree game, or a twenty-nine-choice game). This data table is stored inthe ROM.

<Symbol Display Control Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the symbol display control processingis described.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the symbol display controlprocessing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

First, the main CPU 71 starts scrolling of the symbol arrays of therespective video reels 3 that are displayed to the symbol display region4 of the lower image display panel 141 (step S131). The main CPU 71 thenstops the scrolling of the symbol arrays of the respective video reels3, based on the aforementioned symbol storage area (step S132). Afterthe processing has been conducted, the symbol display control processingis completed.

Whereas this embodiment describes a case in which each of the symbolsmakes up symbol arrays which are longitudinally scrolled, a mode ofscroll-display of symbols according to this invention is not limitativethereto. For example, the symbols may be horizontally scrolled or eachof the symbols may be independently scrolled within the display region.

<Number-of-Payouts Determination Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the number-of-payouts determinationprocessing is described.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the number-of-payoutsdetermination processing for the gaming machine according to theembodiment of the present invention.

The main CPU 71 first determines whether or not the winning combinationis the jackpot (step S151). When the main CPU 71 determines that thewinning combination is not the jackpot, the main CPU 71 determines thenumber of payouts corresponding to the winning combination (step S152).It is to be noted that the main CPU 71 determines “0” as the number ofpayouts in the case where the game is lost. Next, the main CPU 71 storesthe determined number of payouts into the number-of-payouts storage area(step S153). After the processing has been conducted, thenumber-of-payouts determination processing is completed.

When the main CPU 71 determines that the winning combination is thejackpot, the main CPU 71 notifies the external control device 200 of thewinning of the jackpot (step S154). It is to be noted that, uponreception of the notification, the external control device 200 transmitsto the gaming machine 1 the amount of jackpot having updated up to thattime. At this time, a part (e.g. 80%) of the amount of jackpot may bethe payout subject and the rest (e.g. 20%) may be carried over for theupcoming establishment of the jackpot trigger.

Next, the main CPU 71 receives the amount of jackpot from the externalcontrol device 200 (step S155). The main CPU 71 then stores the receivedamount of jackpot into the number-of-payouts counter (step S156). Afterthe processing has been conducted, the number-of-payouts determinationprocessing is completed.

<<First Mode of Top Box 12>>

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating the first mode of a pattern drawnon the upper image display panel 131 of the top box 12. As shown in FIG.4, the first mode of the pattern includes the clock-like rouletteportion 220 imitating a clock. The clock-like roulette portion 220 isprovided with the twelve hand portions 221 a to 2211 and the twelvenumeral portions 222 a to 2221.

The twelve numeral portions 222 a to 2221 are made up of the numeralportion 222 a indicative of a number “100”, the numeral portion 222 bindicative of a number “200”, the numeral portion 222 c indicative of anumber “300”, the numeral portion 222 d indicative of a number “400”,the numeral portion 222 e indicative of a number “500”, the numeralportion 222 f indicative of a number “600”, the numeral portion 222 gindicative of a number “700”, the numeral portion 222 h indicative of anumber “800”, the numeral portion 222 i indicative of a number “900”,the numeral portion 222 j indicative of a number “1000”, the numeralportion 222 k indicative of a number “1100” , and the numeral portion222 l indicative of a number “1200”. The hand portions 221 a to 221 lcorrespond to the numeral portions 222 a to 222 l, respectively, inalphabetical order.

The upper image display panel 131 of the first mode displays thecharacter images 223 a, 223 b indicative of two game characters on theright and left of the lower portion of the clock-like roulette portion220, respectively. Further, the background regions 224 a, 224 b aredisplayed on the right and left of the upper portion of the clock-likeroulette portion 220, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating disposition of the twelve LEDlight emitting portions 231 a to 231 l, the twelve LED light emittingportions 232 a to 232 l, the four LED light emitting portions 233 a to233 d, the four LED light emitting portions 233 e to 233 h, and lightguide panels 234 a, 234 b, all of which are disposed in accordance withthe first mode of the pattern.

The twelve LED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 l are disposed onthe rear surface of the aforementioned twelve numeral portions 222 a to222 l so that the LED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 l correspondto the numeral portions 222 a to 222 l, respectively, in alphabeticalorder.

Each of the twelve LED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 l is made upof four LEDs. The four LEDs making up one of the twelve LED lightemitting portions 232 a to 232 l are simultaneously turned on so thatthe corresponding one of the LED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 lemits light, thereby illuminating one of the numeral portionscorresponding to this LED light emitting portion. In this manner, thenumeral portion can be illuminated brightly. For example, the four LEDsmaking up the LED light emitting portion 232 c, which is one of thetwelve LED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 l, are simultaneouslyturned on so that the LED light emitting portion 232 c emits light,thereby illuminating the numeral portion 222 c corresponding to the LEDlight emitting portion 232 c. In this manner, the numeral portion 222 ccan be illuminated brightly.

Similarly, the twelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l aredisposed on the rear surface of the twelve hand portions 221 a to 221 lso that the LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l correspond to thehand portions 221 a to 221 l, respectively, in alphabetical order.

Each of the twelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l is made upof three LEDs. The three LEDs making up one of the twelve LED lightemitting portions 231 a to 231 l are simultaneously turned on so thatthe corresponding one of the LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 lemits light, thereby illuminating one of the numeral portionscorresponding to this LED light emitting portion. In this manner, thenumeral portion can be illuminated brightly. For example, the three LEDsmaking up the LED light emitting portion 231 f, which is one of thetwelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l, are simultaneouslyturned on so that the LED light emitting portion 231 f emits light,thereby illuminating the hand portion 221 f corresponding to the LEDlight emitting portion 231 f. In this manner, the hand portion 221 f canbe illuminated brightly.

As described above, the twelve hand portions 221 a to 221 l and thetwelve numeral portions 222 a to 222 l make up the clock-like rouletteportion 220. More specifically, the hand portion 221 a and the numeralportion 222 a can be brightly illuminated by turning on the LED emittingportions 231 a, 232 a, simultaneously. Next, these hand portion 221 aand numeral portion 222 a can be blacked out by turning off the LEDemitting portions 231 a, 232 a, simultaneously. At the same instant, thehand portion 221 b and the numeral portion 222 b can be brightlyilluminated by turning on the LED light emitting portions 231 b, 232 b,simultaneously. Repeated operation of this produces visual effects as ifthe hand gradually rotates along the numbers from “100” to “1200” on theclock. In this manner, a roulette game can be performed.

The aforementioned twelve LED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 l andtwelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l are disposed betweentwo light guide panels 234 a, 234 b, to be described later, and theupper image display panel 131, in a position at a predetermined distancefrom the upper image display panel 131. Further, a shielding partition238 is formed in each of interspaces between the adjacent LED lightemitting portions 232 a to 232 l and the adjacent LED light emittingportions 231 a to 231 l. With the aid of this shielding partition 238,one LED light emitting portion can emit light in a manner to illuminateonly the corresponding numeration portion and hand portion, while beingprevented from illuminating other numeral portions or hand portionscorresponding to other LED light emitting portions. In this manner, onlya corresponding numeral portion or hand portion can be brightlydisplayed by one LED light emitting portion, thereby preventing a playerfrom misreading these portions.

The upper image display panel 131 of this first mode displays the twocharacter images 223 a, 223 b, indicative of two game characters. Thefour LED light emitting portions 233 a to 233 d are disposed on a rearsurface of the character image 223 a. The four LED light emittingportions 233 e to 233 h are disposed on a rear surface of the characterimage 223 b. Each of the four LED light emitting portions 233 a to 233 dand the four LED light emitting portions 233 e to 233 h is made up offour

LEDs. All of the LEDs making up the four LED light emitting portions 233a to 233 d are simultaneously turned on so that the character image 223a can be brightened up by illumination from the rear surface thereof.Similarly, all of the LEDs making up the four LED light emittingportions 233 e to 233 h are simultaneously turned on so that thecharacter image 223 b can be brightened up by illumination from the rearsurface thereof. With this configuration, one of the character images223 a, 223 b can be selected as a partner to play a game with.

The top box 12 according to the first mode is provided with the twolight guide panels 234 a, 234 b. The light guide panel 234 a is disposedon a rear surface of the background area 224 a so as to be aligned withthe background area 224 a. The light guide panel 234 b is disposed on arear surface of the background area 224 b so as to be aligned with thebackground area 224 b. As shown in FIG. 14, the two light guide panels234 a, 234 b are provided on a backlight panel 235. The backlight panel235 has a substantially plate-like shape and is provided with a panelsurface 237 formed thereon. The backlight panel 235 is fixed to a bottomsurface of the top box 12 so that the panel surface 237 of the backlightpanel 235 is faced to the upper image display panel 131. The two lightguide panels 234 a, 234 b are fixed to the panel surface 237 by means ofa predetermined supporting member (not shown) through a light guidepanel case 243 to be described later, so that these light guide panels234 a, 234 b are disposed substantially parallel to the panel surface237.

The backlight panel 235 further provided with two backlights 236 a, 236b (not shown) disposed thereon. Light emitted by the backlight 236 aenters the light guide panel 234 a. Light emitted by the backlight 236 benters the light guide panel 234 b.

As shown in FIG. 15, each of the two light guide panels 234 a, 234 b ismade up of a light guide panel acrylic 241, a light guide panelreflector 242, and the light guide panel case 243. The light guide panelacrylic 241 has a plate-like shape with a substantially uniformthickness. The light guide panel reflector 242 is affixed to an endportion of the light guide panel acrylic 241. The light that has reachedthe end portion of the light guide panel acrylic 241 and then emittedfrom the light guide panel acrylic 241 can be reflected by the lightguide panel reflector 242, so that this light can be caused to re-enterthe light guide panel acrylic 241. The light guide panel case 243 isconfigured to receive the light guide panel acrylic 241 so as to disposethe light guide panel case 243 in a predetermined position of thebacklight panel 235.

Light that has entered the light guide panel acrylic 241 through apredetermined surface thereof as a light-entering surface is repeatedlyreflected inside the light guide panel acrylic 241, and thereafter,exits therefrom through a light-exiting surface 244. As just described,the light having entered the light guide panel acrylic 241 exitstherefrom after being reflected more than once inside the light guidepanel acrylic 241. Thus, the light having substantially uniformbrightness across the entire area of the light-exiting surface 244 canbe caused to exit through the light-exiting surface 244, thereby causingthe light having the brightness free from unevenness to exit thelight-exiting surface 244. As shown in FIG. 13, the two light guidepanels 234 a, 234 b are each disposed so that the light-exiting surface244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 (light guide panels 234 a, 234b) is faced to the background area 224 a or 224 b. In this manner, thebackground areas 224 a, 224 b can be illuminated with substantiallyuniform brightness, so that the background areas 224 a, 224 b can bebrightened up without unevenness in brightness.

As described above, the background areas 224 a, 224 b are illuminatedwith the light exiting through the light-exiting surface 244 of thelight guide panel acrylic 241. Therefore, a position, size, the number,or the like of the two backlights 236 a, 236 b and a position or thelike of the two light guide panels 234 a, 234 b with respect to thesetwo backlights 236 a, 236 b can be appropriately determined so that thelight can enter the light guide panel acrylic 241 so as to exit throughthe light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241.

As described above, the light guide panel case 243 receives the lightguide panel acrylic 241. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the light guidepanel case 243 is provided with a holding wall 246 and a holding surface247 for holding the light guide panel acrylic 241, which are formedalong the periphery of the light guide panel case 243. The holding wall246 and the holding surface 247 are provided with an opening (not shown)for allowing the light emitted by the backlight 236 a or 236 b to enterthe light guide panel acrylic 241. The backlight 236 a or 236 b isdisposed so as to be aligned with this opening. The light emitted by thebacklight 236 a or 236 b can be caused to enter the light guide panelacrylic 241 through this opening. Further, a reflection member (notshown) is provided inside the holding wall 246 and the holding surface247. Even in a case where the light having entered the light guide panelacrylic 241 exits through a surface other than the light-exiting surface244, this light having exited is reflected so as to re-enter the lightguide panel acrylic 241. Thus, the light can be caused to exit therefromthrough the light-exiting surface 244 efficiently.

The light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 isdisposed with the aid of the backlight panel 235 so as to be spaced at apredetermined distance of, e.g., larger than 40 millimeters, from therear surface of the upper image display panel 131. The light emittedfrom the light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241travels radially so as to spread at various angles. Because thelight-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 isdisposed at a distance from the rear surface of the upper image displaypanel 131, the light which travels radially from the light-exitingsurface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 can reach the rearsurface of the upper image display panel 131 through optical paths atvarious angles. Therefore, even in a case where an additional membersuch as a cable needs to be disposed between the light-exiting surface244 and the rear surface of the upper image display panel 131, thebackground areas 224 a, 224 b can be illuminated without being shieldedby the member such as a cable.

<<Second Mode of Pattern>>

FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating a second mode of a pattern drawn onthe upper image display panel 131 of the top box 12. The upper imagedisplay panel 131 of the second mode is provided with four numeraldisplay portions each in a heart shape. A first numeral display portionis made up of four numeral portions 252 a to 252 d. A second numeraldisplay portion is made up of four numeral portions 252 e to 252 h. Athird numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions 252 ito 252 l. A fourth numeral display portion is made up of four numeralportions 252 m to 252 p.

The four numeral portions 252 a to 252 d are made up of the numeralportion 252 a indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion 252 bindicative of a number “450”, the numeral portion 252 c indicative of anumber “750”, and the numeral portion 252 d indicative of a number“1500”. The four numeral portions 252 e to 252 h are made up of thenumeral portion 252 e indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion252 f indicative of a number “450”, the numeral portion 252 g indicativeof a number “750”, and the numeral portion 252 h indicative of a number“1500”. The four numeral portions 252 i to 252 l are made up of thenumeral portion 252 i indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion252 j indicative of a number “450”, the numeral portion 252 k indicativeof a number “750”, and the numeral portion 252 l indicative of a number“1500”. The four numeral portions 252 m to 252 p are made up of thenumeral portion 252 m indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion252 n indicative of a number “450”, the numeral portion 252 o indicativeof a number “750”, and the numeral portion 252 p indicative of a number“1500”.

The upper image display panel 131 of the second mode displays characterimages 253 a to 253 d indicative of four game characters so as tocorresponds to the four heart-shaped numeral display portions,respectively. The character image 253 a corresponds to the first numeraldisplay portion. The character image 253 b corresponds to the secondnumeral display portion. The character image 253 c corresponds to thethird numeral display portion. The character image 253 d corresponds tothe fourth numeral display portion. Further, three background areas 254a, 254 b, 254 c are displayed at the upper portion of the fourheart-shaped numeral display portions.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating disposition of LEDs 262 a to262 p, the LEDs 263 a to 263 d, and the light guide panels 264 a, 264 b,264 c, all of which are disposed in accordance with the second mode ofthe pattern.

The four LED light emitting portions 262 a to 262 d are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 252 a to 252 d of the firstnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions 262 a to262 d correspond to the numeral portions 252 a to 252 d, respectively,in alphabetical order.

The four LED light emitting portions 262 e to 262 h are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 252 e to 252 h of the secondnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions 262 e to262 h correspond to the numeral portions 252 e to 252 h, respectively,in alphabetical order.

The four LED light emitting portions 262 i to 262 l are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 252 i to 252 l of the thirdnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions 262 i to262 l correspond to the numeral portions 252 i to 2521, respectively, inalphabetical order.

The four LED light emitting portions 262 m to 262 p are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 252 m to 252 p of the fourthnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions 262 m to262 p correspond to the numeral portions 252 m to 252 p, respectively,in alphabetical order.

As described above, the character images 253 a to 253 d indicative offour game characters are also displayed so as to correspond to the fourheart-shaped numeral display portions, respectively. The LED lightemitting portions 263 a to 263 d are disposed on the rear surface of thecharacter images 253 a to 253 d, respectively, in alphabetical order.

Each of the LED light emitting portions 262 a to 262 p and the LED lightemitting portions 263 a to 263 d described above is made up of fourLEDs. These four LEDs are simultaneously turned on so that thecorresponding LED light emitting portion emits light, therebyilluminating the numeral portion or the character image corresponding tothis LED light emitting portion. In this manner, the numeral portion orthe character image can be displayed brightly.

The aforementioned LED light emitting portions 262 a to 262 p and LEDlight emitting portions 263 a to 263 d are disposed between the threelight guide panels 264 a, 264 b, 264 c, and the upper image displaypanel 131, in a position at a predetermined distance from the upperimage display panel 131. Further, a shielding portion 268 is formed ineach of interspaces between the adjacent LED light emitting portions 252a to 252 p and the adjacent LED light emitting portions 263 a to 263 d.With the aid of this shielding portion 268, one LED light emittingportion can emit light in a manner to illuminate only the correspondingnumeration portion or hand portion, while being prevented fromilluminating other numeral portions or hand portions corresponding toother LED light emitting portions. In this manner, only a correspondingnumeral portion or hand portion can be brightly displayed by one LEDlight emitting portion, thereby preventing a player from misreadingthese portions.

The top box 12 of the second mode is provided with the three light guideportions 264 a, 264 b, 264 c. The light guide portion 264 a is disposedon the rear surface of the background area 254 a so as to be alignedwith the background area 254 a.

The light guide portion 264 b is disposed on the rear surface of thebackground area 254 b so as to correspond to the background area 254 b.The light guide portion 264 c is disposed on the rear surface of thebackground area 254 c so as to be aligned with the background area 254c. These light guide panels 264 a, 264 b, 264 c are the same inconfiguration as the light guide panel 234 a or 234 b described above.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, each of the light guide panels 264 a,264 b, 264 c is made up of the light guide panel acrylic 241, the lightguide panel reflector 242, and the light guide panel case 243. Each ofthe light guide panels 264 a, 264 b, 264 c has the light-exiting surface244. The light having entered the light guide panel acrylic 241 iscaused to exit therefrom through the light-exiting surface 244 afterbeing repeatedly reflected inside the light guide panel acrylic 241.

As shown in FIG. 18, the three light guide panels 264 a, 264 b, 264 care provided on the backlight panel 265. The backlight panel 265 has asubstantially plate-like shape and is provided with a panel surface 267formed thereon. The backlight panel 265 is fixed to the bottom surfaceof the top box 12 so that the panel surface 267 of the backlight panel265 is faced to the upper image display panel 131. The three light guidepanels 264 a, 264 b, 264 c are fixed to the panel surface 267 by meansof a predetermined supporting member (not shown) through the light guidepanel case 243 to be described later, so that these light guide panels264 a, 264 b, 264 c are disposed substantially parallel to the panelsurface 267.

Three backlights 266 a, 266 b, 266 c (not shown) are disposed on thebacklight panel 265. Light emitted by the backlight 266 a enters thelight guide panel 264 a. Light emitted by the backlight 266 b enters thelight guide panel 264 b. The light emitted by the backlight 266 c entersthe light guide panel 264 c.

As shown in FIG. 17, three light guide panels 264 a, 264 b, 264 c areeach disposed so that the light-exiting surface 244 of the light guidepanel acrylic 241 (light guide panels 264 a, 264 b, 264 c) is faced tothe background area 254 a, 254 b, or 254 c. In this manner, thebackground areas 254 a, 254 b, 254 c can be illuminated withsubstantially uniform brightness and also be brightened up withoutunevenness in brightness.

As described above, the background areas 254 a, 254 b, 254 c areilluminated with the light exiting through the light-exiting surface 244of the light guide panel acrylic 241. Therefore, a position, size, thenumber, or the like of the three backlights 266 a, 266 b, 266 c and aposition or the like of the three light guide panels 264 a, 264 b, 264 cwith respect to the three backlights 266 a, 266 b, 266 c can beappropriately determined so that the light can enter the light guidepanel acrylic 241 so as to exit therefrom through the light-exitingsurface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241.

The light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 isdisposed with the aid of the backlight panel 265 so as to be spaced at apredetermined distance of, e.g., larger than 40 millimeters, from therear surface of the upper image display panel 131. The light emittedfrom the light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241travels radially so as to spread at various angles. Since thelight-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 isdisposed at a distance from the rear surface of the upper image displaypanel 131, the light which travels radially from the light-exitingsurface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 reaches the rearsurface of the upper image display panel 131 through optical paths atvarious angles. Therefore, even in a case where an additional membersuch as a cable needs to be disposed between the light-exiting surface244 and the rear surface of the upper image display panel 131, thebackground areas 254 a, 254 b, 254 c can be illuminated without beingshielded by the member such as a cable.

<<Third Mode of Pattern>>

FIG. 19 is a front view illustrating a third mode of a pattern drawn onthe upper image display panel 131 of the top box 12. The upper imagedisplay panel 131 of the third mode is provided with four numeraldisplay portions each in a circular shape. A first numeral displayportion is made up of four numeral portions 272 a to 272 d. A secondnumeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions 272 e to 272h. A third numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions272 i to 2721. A fourth numeral display portion is made up of fournumeral portions 272 m to 272 p.

The four numeral portions 272 a to 272 d are made up of the numeralportion 272 a indicative of a number “100”, the numeral portion 272 bindicative of a number “150”, the numeral portion 272 c indicative of anumber “200”, and the numeral portion 272 d indicative of a number“450”. The four numeral portions 272 e to 272 h are made up of thenumeral portion 272 e indicative of a number “150”, the numeral portion272 f indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion 272 g indicativeof a number “450”, and the numeral portion 272 h indicative of a number“1500”. The four numeral portions 272 i to 272 l are made up of thenumeral portion 272 i indicative of a number “100”, the numeral portion272 j indicative of a number “150”, the numeral portion 272 k indicativeof a number “250”, and the numeral portion 272 l indicative of a number“500”. The four numeral portions 272 m to 272 p are made up of thenumeral portion 272 m indicative of a number “150”, the numeral portion272 n indicative of a number “250”, the numeral portion 272 o indicativeof a number “500”, and the numeral portion 272 p indicative of a number“1000”.

The upper image display panel 131 of the third mode displays text images273 a to 273 d indicative of four text images so as to correspond to thefour circular-shaped numeral display portions, respectively. The textimage 273 a corresponds to the first numeral display portion. The textimage 273 b corresponds to the second numeral display portion. The textimage 273 c corresponds to the third numeral display portion. The textimage 273 d corresponds to the fourth numeral display portion. Twobackground areas 274 a, 274 b are displayed between the fourcircular-shaped numeral display portions. A character image 273 eindicative of a game character is also displayed at the center of theupper image display panel 131 of the third mode.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating disposition of LEDs 282 a to282 d, LEDs 283 a to 283 e, and light guide panels 284 a, 284 b, all ofwhich are disposed in accordance with the third mode of the pattern.

The four LED light emitting portions 282 a to 282 d are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 272 a to 272 d of the firstnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portion 282 a to282 d correspond to the numeral portions 272 a to 272 d, respectively,in alphabetical order.

The four LED light emitting portions 282 e to 282 h are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 272 e to 272 h of the secondnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions 282 e to282 h correspond to the numeral portions 272 e to 272 h, respectively,in alphabetical order.

The four LED light emitting portions 282 i to 282 l are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 272 i to 272 l of the thirdnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions 282 i to282 l correspond to the numeral portions 272 i to 272 l, respectively,in alphabetical order.

The four LED light emitting portions 282 m to 282 p are disposed on therear surface of the four numeral portions 272 m to 272 p of the fourthnumeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions 282 m to282 p correspond to the numeral portions 272 m to 272 p, respectively,in alphabetical order.

As described above, the four text images 273 a to 273 d are alsodisplayed so as to correspond to the four circular-shaped numeraldisplay portions, respectively.

The LED light emitting portion 283 a is disposed on the rear surface ofthe text image 273 a. The LED light emitting portion 283 b is disposedon the rear surface of the text image 273 b. The LED light emittingportion 283 c is disposed on the rear surface of the text image 273 c.The LED light emitting portion 283 d is disposed on the rear surface ofthe text image 273 d.

As described above, the character image 273 e indicative of a gamecharacter is also displayed at the center of the upper image displaypanel 131. Eight LED light emitting portions 283 e are disposed on therear surface of the character image 273 e.

Each of the LED light emitting portions 282 a to 282 p and the LED lightemitting portions 283 a to 283 e described above is made up of fourLEDs. These four LEDs are simultaneously turned on so that thecorresponding LED light emitting portion emits light, therebyilluminating the numeral portion, the text image, or the character imagecorresponding to this LED light emitting portion. In this manner, thenumeral portion, the text image, or the character image can be brightlydisplayed.

The aforementioned LED light emitting portions 282 a to 282 p and LEDlight emitting portions 283 a to 283 e are disposed between the twolight guide panels 284 a, 284 b, and the upper image display panel 131,in a position at a predetermined distance from the upper image displaypanel 131. Further, a shielding portion 288 is formed in each ofinterspaces between the adjacent LED light emitting portions 282 a to282 p and the adjacent LED light emitting portions 283 a to 283 e. Withthe aid of this shielding portion 288, one LED light emitting portioncan emit light in a manner to illuminate only the corresponding numeralportion or hand portion, while being prevented from illuminating othernumeral portions or hand portions corresponding to other LED lightemitting portions. In this manner, only a corresponding numeral portionor hand portion can be brightly displayed by one LED light emittingportion, thereby preventing a player from misreading these portions.

The top box 12 of the third mode is provided with the two light guideportions 284 a, 284 b. The light guide portion 284 a is disposed on therear surface of the background area 274 a so as to be aligned with thebackground area 274 a. The light guide panel 284 b is disposed on therear surface of the background area 274 b so as to be aligned with thebackground area 274 b. These light guide panels 284 a, 284 b are thesame in configuration as the light guide panel 234 a or 234 b describedabove. Specifically, likewise the light guide panel 234 a or 234 b shownin FIG. 15, each of the light guide panels 284 a, 284 b is made up ofthe light guide panel acrylic 241, the light guide panel reflector 242,and the light guide panel case 243. Each of the light guide panels 284a, 284 b has the light-exiting surface 244. Light having entered thelight guide panel acrylic 241 is caused to exit therefrom through thelight-exiting surface 244 after being repeatedly reflected inside thelight guide panel acrylic 241.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the two light guide panels 284 a, 284 b areprovided on the backlight panel 285. The backlight panel 285 has asubstantially plate-like shape and is provided with a panel surface 287.The backlight panel 285 is fixed to the bottom surface of the top box 12so that the panel surface 287 of the backlight panel 285 is faced to theupper image display panel 131. The two light guide panels 284 a, 284 bare fixed to the panel surface 287 by means of a predeterminedsupporting member (not shown) through the light guide panel case 243 tobe described later so that these light guide panels 284 a, 284 b aredisposed substantially parallel to the panel surface 287.

Two backlights 286 a, 286 b (not shown) are also disposed on thebacklight panel 285. Light emitted by the backlight 286 a enters thelight guide panel 284 a. Light emitted by the backlight 286 b enters thelight guide panel 284 b.

As shown in FIG. 20, two light guide panels 284 a, 284 b are eachdisposed so that the light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panelacrylic 241 (light guide panels 284 a, 284 b) is faced to the backgroundarea 274 a or 274 b. In this manner, the background areas 274 a, 274 bcan be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness and also bebrightened up without unevenness in brightness.

As described above, the background areas 274 a, 274 b are illuminatedwith the light exiting through the light-exiting surface 244 of thelight guide panel acrylic 241. Therefore, a position, size, the number,or the like of the two backlights 286 a, 286 b and a position or thelike of the two light guide panels 284 a, 284 b with respect to the twobacklights 286 a, 286 b can be appropriately determined so that thelight can enter the light guide panel acrylic 241 so as to exittherefrom through the light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panelacrylic 241.

The light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 isdisposed with the aid of the backlight panel 285 so as to be spaced at apredetermined distance of, e.g., larger than 40 millimeters, from therear surface of the upper image display panel 131. The light emittedfrom the light-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241travels radially so as to spread at various angles. Since thelight-exiting surface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 isdisposed at a distance from the rear surface of the upper image displaypanel 131, the light which travels radially from the light-exitingsurface 244 of the light guide panel acrylic 241 reaches the rearsurface of the upper image display panel 131 through optical paths atvarious angles. Therefore, even in a case where an additional membersuch as a cable needs to be disposed between the light-exiting surface244 and the rear surface of the upper image display panel 131, thebackground areas 274 a, 274 b can be illuminated without being shieldedby the member such as a cable.

<<Sub-Control Circuit 400>>

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating the sub-control circuit 400 andvarious types of LEDs for emitting light under control of thesub-control circuit 400. Exemplified here is the sub-control circuit 400configured to control the various types of LEDs of the top box 12according to the first mode described above.

The sub-control circuit 400 is made up of a sub-PCB 410 and asub-circuit 420. The sub-PCB 410 performs bidirectional communicationwith the main CPU 71 via the body PCB 110. As described above, the cable185 is connected in a detachably attachable manner between the body PCB110 and the sub-PCB 410. As the cable 185, RC-232C cable or USB cablecan be employed.

The sub-PCB 410 and the sub-circuit 420 are connected to each other soas to establish a serial communication therebetween, which enables thesesub-PCB 410 and sub-circuit 420 to transmit and receive predetermineddata. In this manner, various types of commands or data transmitted fromthe main CPU 71 can be transmitted to the sub-circuit 420. Further, anOUTPORT terminal of the sub-circuit 420 is electrically connected to anINPORT terminal of the sub-PCB 410. Various types of control signalsoutput from the OUTPORT terminal of the sub-circuit 420 is supplied tothe sub-PCB 410. Part of the control signals output from the sub-circuit420 is transmitted to the main CPU 71. For example, a confirmationsignal is transmitted from the sub-circuit 420 to the main CPU 71through the processing in step S2513 to be described later. Inaccordance with the part of the control signals output from thesub-circuit 420, turning-on, turning-off, or blinking is controlled inthe twelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l, the twelve LEDlight emitting portions 232 a to 232 l, the four LED light emittingportions 233 a to 233 d, the four LED light emitting portions 233 e to233 h, and the two backlights 236 a, 236 b.

The sub-circuit 420 has a sub-CPU 422, sub-ROM 424, and sub-RAM 426. Thesub-CPU 422 executes a subroutine shown in FIG. 25, to be describedlater. The sub-ROM 424 stores, for example, a program of a subroutineshown in FIG. 25 and a light-emission-pattern shown in FIG. 26, whichare described later. Upon execution of the subroutine shown in FIG. 25,the sub-RAM 426 temporarily stores values such as variables.

The sub-PCB 410 has an OUTPORT terminal. The twelve LED light emittingportions 231 a to 231 l, the twelve LED light emitting portions 232 a to232 l, the four LED light emitting portions 233 a to 233 d, the four LEDlight emitting portions 233 e to 233 h, and the two backlights 236 a,236 b are electrically connected to this OUTPORT terminal. The sub-PCB410 controls turning-on, turning-off, or blinking of the twelve LEDlight emitting portions 231 a to 231 l, the twelve LED light emittingportions 232 a to 232 l, the four LED light emitting portions 233 a to233 d, the four LED light emitting portions 233 e to 233 h, and the twobacklights 236 a, 236 b, in accordance with a control signal transmittedfrom the sub-circuit 420.

Turning-on, turning-off, or blinking of the twelve LED light emittingportions 231 a to 231 l and the twelve LED light emitting portions 232 ato 232 l can be controlled through the processing shown in FIGS. 23, 25,and 27 to be described later. Turning-on, turning-off, or blinking ofthe four LED light emitting portions 233 a to 233 d and the four LEDlight emitting portions 233 e to 233 h may be controlled through theprocessing shown in FIGS. 23, 25, and 27. Only the numeral portion orthe hand portion (see FIG. 12) is turned on or turned off, therebyproducing visual effects as if the hand gradually rotates along thenumbers from “100” to “1200” on the clock. In this manner, a roulettegame can be performed.

The two backlights 236 a, 236 b are controlled so as to maintain certainbrightness at all times without being turned on or off, or blinked bythe sub-CPU 422. Specifically, the background areas 224 a, 224 b areilluminated with the certain brightness at all times. In this manner, aregion for performing a roulette game can be changed in its brightnessover time by the turning-on or turning-off of the LEDs, and thus thegame can be progressed. On the other hand, the background areas 224 a,224 b can be illuminated indistinctively to an extent that the playercan visually recognize these regions.

The two backlights 236 a, 236 b may be controlled by the sub-CPU 422 tobe turned on, turned off, or blinked. In this manner, visual effects canbe produced such that not only the numeral portion or the hand portionbut also the background areas 224 a, 224 b can be changed in itsbrightness over time.

As described above, the top box 12 of the first mode is provided withthe twelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l, the twelve LEDlight emitting portions 232 a to 232 l, the four LED light emittingportions 233 a to 233 d, the four LED light emitting portions 233 e to233 h, and the two backlights 236 a, 236 b.

The twelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l are configured toilluminate and brighten up the twelve hand portions 221 a to 221 l,respectively. These twelve LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 lare collectively denoted by “CK-BK-LED” in FIG. 22. The twelve LED lightemitting portions 232 a to 232 l are configured to illuminate andbrighten up the twelve numeral portions 222 a to 222 l, respectively.These twelve LED light emitting portions 232 a to 232 l are collectivelydenoted by “CK-hd-LED” n FIG. 22.

The four LED light emitting portions 233 a to 233 d are configured toilluminate and brighten up the character image 223 a. These four LEDlight emitting portions 233 a to 233 d are collectively denoted by“RB-LED” in FIG. 22. The four LED light emitting portions 233 e to 233 hare configured to illuminate and brighten up the character image 223 b.These four LED light emitting portions 233 e to 233 h are collectivelydenoted by “LB-LED” in FIG. 22.

The backlight 236 a is configured to illuminate and brighten up thebackground area 224 a via the light guide panel 234 a. This backlight236 a is denoted by “RM-BK-LED” in FIG. 22. The backlight 236 b isconfigured to illuminate and brighten up the background area 224 b viathe light guide panel 234 a. This backlight 236 b is denoted by“LM-BK-LED” in FIG. 22.

With this configuration, the sub-circuit 420 (sub-CPU 422) can controlturning-on, turning-off, or blinking of the twelve LED light emittingportions 231 a to 231 l, the twelve LED light emitting portions 232 a to232 l, the four LED light emitting portions 233 a to 233 d, the four LEDlight emitting portions 233 e to 233 h, the two backlights 236 a, 236 b.

As described above, the sub-control circuit 400 shown in FIG. 22 isconfigured to control the various types of LEDs of the top box 12according to the first mode described above. However, this sub-controlcircuit 400 can be adapted to the top box 12 according to the second orthird mode by changing the LEDs to be connected to the sub-PCB 410.

<<Light-Emission-Pattern-Number-Determination Processing>>

FIG. 23 illustrates a subroutine oflight-emission-pattern-number-determination processing to be executed bythe main CPU 71. This subroutine is invoked and executed by the main CPU71 at a time of shifting a game mode into a predetermined game such as,e.g., a specific feature game (not shown). It is preferable that thefeature game provide a possibility of giving an advantage to a player.For example, this subroutine shown in FIG. 23 is invoked and executedwhen a game mode is shifted into a feature game which is to be executedin accordance with a result of a bonus game executed in step S20 of FIG.6 described above.

First, the main CPU 71 searches alight-emission-pattern-number-determination table based on a lotteryresult and a progressive phase of the feature game to determine alight-emission pattern (step S231 l). A correspondence relationship of alight-emission-pattern number, with respect to these lottery result andprogressive phase of the feature game is predetermined and stored as thelight-emission-pattern-number-determination table in the ROM 72. Thelight-emission-pattern number can be determined by reading alight-emission-pattern number corresponding to the lottery result andprogressive phase of the feature game, from thelight-emission-pattern-number-determination table.

The correspondence relationship of a light-emission-pattern number, withrespect to a lottery result and progressive phase of the feature game ispredetermined and stored in the ROM 72, as alight-emission-pattern-number-determination table shown in FIG. 24. InFIG. 24, the lottery result of the feature game is indicated as a firstlottery result, a second lottery result, and the like. Further, theprogressive phase of the feature game is indicated as a step 1-1, a step1-2, and the like. For example, in a case where the lottery result isthe first lottery result and the progressive phase of the feature gameis a step 1-8, the light-emission-pattern number is determined as “7” bysearching the light-emission-pattern-number-determination table shown inFIG. 24.

The light-emission-pattern number may be determined using not only thefeature game lottery result and progressive phase but also a value suchas a random value generated by another lottery processing. In such acase, the random value may use a random number which is generated frominteger numbers in a predetermined value range, by a lottery processing.The random value may be generated using either of hardware and software.In this manner, even under the condition of the same lottery result andprogressive phase of the feature game, the plurality of LEDs can beturned on and turned off in accordance with different light-emissionpatterns by using the random values, thereby enabling the upper imagedisplay panel 131 to expand the range of visual effects.

As described above, the top box 12 according to the first mode isprovided with the LED light emitting portions 231 a to 231 l, 232 a to232 l, 233 a to 233 d, 233 e to 233 h, a light-emission-pattern numberof which is determined by executing the processing shown in FIG. 23. Thetop box 12 according to the second mode is provided with the LED lightemitting portions 262 a to 262 p, 263 a to 263 d, alight-emission-pattern number of which is determined by executing theprocessing shown in FIG. 23. The top box 12 according to the third modeis provided with the LED light emitting portions 282 a to 282 p, 283 ato 283 e, a light-emission-pattern number of which is determined byexecuting the processing shown in FIG. 23.

The main CPU 71 then transmits the determined light-emission-patternnumber to the sub-CPU 422 (step S2313), and invokes to execute asubroutine of confirmation-signal-reception processing to be describedlater (step S2315), thereby completing this subroutine.

<<Light-Emission-Pattern-Number-Reception Processing>>

FIG. 25 illustrates a subroutine oflight-emission-pattern-number-reception processing to be executed by thesub-CPU 422. The subroutine is invoked and executed by the sub-CPU 422.

First, the sub-CPU 422 determines whether or not alight-emission-pattern number transmitted by the main CPU 71 has beenreceived (step S2511). In a case of determining that thelight-emission-pattern number transmitted by the main CPU 71 has notbeen received (a case of “NO”), the sub-CPU 422 immediately terminatesthis subroutine.

On the other hand, in a case of determining that thelight-emission-pattern number transmitted by the main CPU 71 has beenreceived (a case of “YES”), the sub-CPU 422 transmits to the main CPU 71a confirmation signal indicative of a status that thelight-emission-pattern number has been received (step S2513).

Next, the sub-CPU 422 searches the light-emission-pattern-determinationtable, based on the received light-emission-pattern number, to read outand determine a light-emission pattern (step S2515). The sub-CPU 422then writes and sets the read-out light-emission pattern into apredetermined area of the sub-RAM 426 (step S2517), thereby terminatingthis subroutine. The sub-CPU 422 controls turning-on and turning-off ofthe LEDs in accordance with the light-emission pattern written into thepredetermined area of the sub-RAM 426.

A correspondence relationship between a light-emission-pattern numberand a light-emission pattern is predetermined and stored as thelight-emission-pattern-determination table in the sub-ROM 424. Thelight-emission pattern can be determined by reading a light-emissionpattern corresponding to the light-emission-pattern number, from thelight-emission-pattern-determination table.

A correspondence relationship between a light-emission-pattern numberand a light-emission pattern is predetermined in thelight-emission-pattern-determination table illustrated in FIG. 26. Asfor the light-emission pattern, a plurality of unit light-emissionpatterns are determined for one light-emission-pattern number.Exemplified in FIG. 26 is the light-emission-pattern-determination tableused to control turning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs, in whicheach of the unit light-emission patterns determines turning-on andturning-off of the twelve LEDs. Each of the unit light-emission patternsis made up of a combination of numbers“0” and “1”. Number “1” indicatesturning-on while number “0” indicates turning-off.

For example, serial number “000000000000” indicates that all of thetwelve LEDs are to be turned off. Serial number “010000000000” indicatesthat only the second LED is to be turned on. Serial number“000000000010” indicates that only the eleventh LED is to be turned on.In this example, the light-emission pattern used to control turning-onand turning-off of the twelve LEDs. However, such a light-emissionpattern may be appropriately determined in accordance with the number ofdisposed LEDs and a pattern drawn on the upper image display panel 131.

In this matter, turning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs can becontrolled by reading one unit light-emission pattern from thelight-emission-pattern-determination table. As described above, thelight-emission pattern is determined so as to contain the plurality unitlight-emission patterns with respect to one light-emission-patternnumber. The plurality of unit light-emission patterns are sequentiallyread out one by one at predetermined time intervals and written into apredetermined area of the sub-RAM426, thereby setting the unitlight-emission pattern. The twelve LEDs are controlled by setting theunit light-emission pattern at predetermined time intervals as describedabove, so that not only turning-on and turning-off but also blinking ofthe twelve LEDs can be controlled. In this manner, the condition ofturning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs can be changed over time.

As described above, the top box 12 of the first mode has the LED lightemitting portions 231 a to 231 l, 232 a to 232 l, 233 a to 233 d, 233 eto 233 h. The light-emission-pattern-determination table shown in FIG.26 is determined so as to correspond to these LED light emittingportions. These LED light emitting portions can be turned on, turnedoff, or blinked in accordance with a predetermined light-emissionpattern through execution of the processing shown in FIG. 25.

Further, the top box 12 of the second mode has the LED light emittingportions 262 a to 262 p, 263 a to 263 p. Thelight-emission-pattern-determination table shown in FIG. 26 isdetermined so as to correspond to these LED light emitting portions.These LED light emitting portions can be turned on, turned off, orblinked in accordance with a predetermined light-emission patternthrough execution of the processing shown in FIG. 25.

Yet further, the top box 12 of the third mode has the LED light emittingportions 282 a to 282 p, 283 a to 283 e. Thelight-emission-pattern-determination table shown in FIG. 26 isdetermined so as to correspond to these LED light emitting portions.These LED light emitting portions can be turned on, turned off, orblinked in accordance with a predetermined light-emission patternthrough execution of the processing shown in FIG. 25.

<<Confirmation-Signal-Reception Processing>>

FIG. 27 illustrates the subroutine of thelight-emission-pattern-number-determination processing to be executed bythe main CPU 71. This subroutine is invoked and executed through theprocessing in step S2315 shown in FIG. 23 described above.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not a confirmation signaltransmitted by the sub-CPU 422 has been received (step S2711). In a caseof determining that the confirmation signal has been received (a case of“YES”), the main CPU 71 immediately terminates this subroutine.

In a case of determining that the confirmation signal has not beenreceived (a case of “NO”), the main CPU 71 determines whether or not thenumber of times that the confirmation signal is not received, namely,the number of retries, has reached a predetermined value or more (stepS2713). In a case of determining that the number of times that theconfirmation signal is not received has not yet reached thepredetermined value or more (a case of “NO”), the main CPU 71 returnsthe processing to step S2711.

On the other hand, in a case of determining that the number of timesthat the confirmation signal is not received has reached thepredetermined value or more (in a case of “YES”), the main CPU 71displays on the lower image display panel 141 an error messageindicative of a status that the confirmation signal is not received fromthe sub-CPU 422 (step S2715), and force-quits the game by terminatinggame-progressing processing (step S2717), thereby terminating thissubroutine.

<<Outline of Gaming Machine>>

The gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes an illuminated object (upper image display panel 131) which isdisposed on a front surface and made up of a specific area (handportions 221 a to 221 l, numeral portions 222 a to 2221, characterimages 223 a, 223 b, numeral portions 252 a to 252 p, character images253 a to 253 d, numeral portions 272 a to 272 p, text images 273 a to273 d, character image 273 e) and a non-specific area (background areas224 a, 224 b, background areas 254 a, 254 b, 254 c, background areas 274a, 274 b) which is different from the specific area. The gaming machine1 is characterized by including: a first light source (LED lightemitting portions 231 a to 231 l, 232 a to 232 l, 233 a to 233 d, 233 eto 233 h, 262 a to 262 p, 263 a to 263 p, 282 a to 283 p, 283 a to 283e) for emitting light caused to enter the specific area from arear-surface side of the illuminated object; a second light source(backlights 236 a, 236 b, 266 a, 266 b, 266 c, 286 a, 286 b) foremitting light; and a light guide body (light guide panels 234 a, 234 b,264 a, 264 b, 264 c, 284 a, 284 b) for causing the light emitted by thesecond light source to enter the non-specific area from the rear-surfaceside of the illuminated object, the light guide body disposed in aposition spaced apart from the illuminated object.

In this manner, the non-specific area can be illuminated by the secondlight source with substantially uniform brightness while the specificarea can be illuminated by the first light source more brightly than thenon-specific area.

Further, in the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, the light guide body is disposed at a certaindistance from the illuminated object.

In this manner, the non-specific area can be illuminated withsubstantially uniform brightness without complicating a shape of thelight guide body or making disposition difficult.

In the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, the aforementioned certain distance is set to be larger than40 millimeters.

In this manner, the non-specific area can be precisely illuminated withsubstantially uniform brightness.

Still further, in the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the first light source is disposed in accordancewith a pattern drawn in the specific area of the illuminated object.

In this manner, the specific area can be illuminated in a desiredlight-emission mode in accordance with the shape or the size of thepicture drawn in the specific area.

Yet further, the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention further includes a display device (lower image displaypanel 141) configured to display predetermined information; a firstcontroller (main CPU 71) configured to control progress of a game; and asecond controller (sub-CPU 422) configured to control light emission ofthe first light source. The gaming machine 1 is characterized in thatthe first controller and the second controller are programmed to executethe following processing (A1) to (A3). The first controller executesprocessing (A1) of transmitting, to the second controller, aninstruction signal of instructing a light-emission mode of the firstlight source in accordance with the progress of the game (step S2313).The second controller executes processing (A2) of transmitting aconfirmation signal to the first controller upon receipt of theinstruction signal (step S2513). The first controller executesprocessing (A3) of displaying an error message on the display device ina case where the confirmation signal has not received before apredetermined time elapses (step S2715).

In this manner, even in a case where the first controller and the secondcontroller are configured as separate bodies and are connected to eachother through a connection line such as a cable, a determination can bemade as to whether a connection condition between the first controllerand the second controller is appropriate or not.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming machine having an illuminated objectmade up of a specific area and a non-specific area different from thespecific area, the illuminated object being disposed on a front surfaceof the gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a first lightsource for emitting light caused to enter the specific area through arear-surface side of the illuminated object; a second light source foremitting light, the second light source being different from the firstlight source, and a light guide body for causing the light emitted bythe second light source to enter the non-specific area through therear-surface side of the illuminated object, the light guide body beingdisposed in a position spaced apart from the illuminated object.
 2. Thegaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: the light guide body has acertain thickness, and includes a predetermined surface; the light guidebody is disposed so that the predetermined surface is faced to therear-surface side of the illuminated object; and light exiting throughthe predetermined surface enters the rear-surface side of theilluminated object.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:the light guide body has a certain thickness, and includes alight-entering surface and a light-exiting surface; the light guide bodyis disposed so that the light-exiting surface is faced to therear-surface side of the illuminated object; light emitted by the secondlight source enters the light-entering surface; and the light enteringthrough the light-entering surface is repeatedly reflected inside thelight guide body and then exits through the light-exiting surface. 4.The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: the light guide bodyis disposed so that the first light source is positioned between thelight guide body and the illuminated object.
 5. The gaming machineaccording to claim 1, wherein: the first light source is disposed so asto be spaced at a predetermined distance from the illuminated object. 6.The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: the light guide bodyis disposed at a predetermined distance from the illuminated object. 7.The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein: the predetermineddistance is set to be larger than 40 millimeters.
 8. The gaming machineaccording to claim 1, wherein: the first light source is disposed basedon a pattern drawn on the specific area of the illuminated object. 9.The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a displaydevice for displaying predetermined information; a first controller forcontrolling progress of a game; and a second controller for controllinglight emission of the first light source, wherein: the first controllerand the second controller are programmed to execute the processing of:(A1) transmitting, by the first controller, an instruction signal to thesecond controller, the instruction signal being for instructing alight-emission mode of the first light source in accordance with theprogress of the game; (A2) transmitting, by the second controller, aconfirmation signal to the first controller, in a case where the secondcontroller receives the instruction signal; and (A3) displaying, by thefirst controller, an error message on the display device, in a casewhere the first controller has not received the confirmation signalbefore a predetermined time elapses.